Because I am a Girl : I Can Change the World
Because I am a Girl : I Can Change the World
Non fiction
Second Story
2014
ISBN 978-1-927583-44-9
Note: "From the author of Every Day is Malala Day. Because I am a Girl is a global initiative from Plan International to end gender inequality, promote girls' rights and lift millions of girls out of poverty. Plan helped the UN declare October 11th the "International Day of the Girl" to recognize and advocate for girls' rights globally. This book illustrates the Because I am Girl call to change by telling stories of girls around the world. They begin by telling us "Because I am a girl, I eat if there is food left over when everyone is done" and "I am the Poorest of the Poor." But it ends with ... "Because I am a Girl, I can change the world." Each part begins with one real girl's story." Publisher
The book takes the topic of girls (mostly in impoverished conditions) and analyses how girls are marginalized due to the impact of poverty, lack of educational opportunities, and sociological and cultural factors (forced marriages, etc). This factual information is individualized through the personal stories of girls who overcome, who feel empowered to change their lives provided they are given the opportunity to do so. These individual stories and general sections of the book point to only conditions in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. However, when the story of a girl who lives in a “first world” country is cited as an example, she invariably belongs to a “minority” group (for example, Native American) and her oppressive conditions stem from her culture or community. The text does not explore if mainstream society discriminates against her.
The book is well organized and well written, and the above diverse matter is well integrated. It is certainly better than a country survey type of book. To be balanced, the book could have explored how girls from mainstream society are discriminated against (for instance, gender bias, standards of beauty, glass ceiling, etc.).
Reviewed by Meena Khorana, Retired Morgan State University
Published in Africa Access Review (December 22, 2014)
Copyright 2014 Africa Access